I eye the things in my hands skeptically. Two runners, each a meter long, with a wheel at either end. Basically, a cross between skis and inline skates. And that’s exactly what they’re supposed to be. These so-called roller skis are used for cross-country ski training during the summer months. And not in an indoor ski hall, either: thanks to the wheels, you can use them right on the asphalt. Sounds simple. It isn’t. At least not for me.
First attempts
The boots fit snugly. There’s a small metal bar at the front, under the toes. It has to click into the binding. That secures the front of my foot, but leaves the heel free. Cautiously, I take my first steps on the unfamiliar runners. My ankles try to compensate for the wobbling, and beads of sweat keep appearing on my forehead as I flail my arms helplessly, threatening to topple forward or backward. I swallow. This is going to be interesting.
How do you get used to these things?
To get used to them, I don’t head straight for the roller ski track in Seefeld. Instead, I start with some practice exercises without poles. One step to the left. One step to the right. Now do it all while hopping. I wonder if I can hop in a circle, too? With lots of little jumps, that’s no problem. Quarter turns work as well. Yes, I even manage a half turn. But that takes some serious concentration. And the movement drills that follow demand even more focus.
Now all I have to do is glide
So I’m not too bad at standing still. Gliding is another matter. I keep losing my center of balance and have to flail my arms to regain it. I’m supposed to stay centered over the ski. Easier said than done. Then the poles come into play. Finally. Now I can prop myself up on the left and right. That’s not what they’re for, of course, but they make me feel more secure. And as we all know, that helps too.
The right technique
After two training sessions, I finally set off on the full loop for the first time, poles gripped firmly in my hands. But the two long poles don’t just make me feel secure; sometimes they can also get in the way. Quite literally. One moment of inattention, and I fall, scrape my knee, roll slightly over a pole and … snap. There’s the tip of my cross-country ski pole, lying beside me on the asphalt. That’s it for today. But I’ll keep at it. Promise!
Why am I doing this?
To get fit. But not just for the sake of it. I’m getting fit for the 50 km Koasalauf in St. Johann in Tirol, which takes place in February 2019. Along with 6 other motivated participants, I’ll be taking part in the well-known cross-country ski race for Nordic Team Tirol. Until now, I’ve never been on cross-country skis. I also usually manage to avoid long endurance sessions. Now there’s no getting around them. Will I make it? I hope so! But it won’t be easy …